Pubdate: Sun, 15 Nov 2015
Source: Winnipeg Free Press (CN MB)
Copyright: 2015 Winnipeg Free Press
Contact: http://www.winnipegfreepress.com/opinion/send_a_letter
Website: http://www.winnipegfreepress.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/502
Author: Kathleen Keating-Toews
Page: A10

TRAUMA, SUBSTANCE ABUSE OFTEN INTERTWINED

IMAGINE living in a world where horrifying memories are so vivid, the
lines between past and present are blurred. You spend your waking
hours on high alert. You feel intense fear. You see threats
everywhere. You have difficulty sleeping, and when you do sleep,
nightmares plague you.

You experience extreme mood swings. Others may simply see you as a
difficult person to be around.

Few understand you, many don't want to. You may even struggle to
understand yourself.

For others, the symptoms might be less severe, but nevertheless, an
impact is made. This is the nature of trauma. Now imagine there is
something you can take that can help you feel instant relief. Imagine
you can take something that can help you to feel "normal" again. This
is the nature of substance abuse. Finally, imagine you cannot stop
seeking relief this way because it is the only way you ever feel
better. This is the nature of addiction. The Addictions Foundation of
Manitoba defines addiction as an unhealthy relationship between a
person and a mood-or mind-altering substance, experience, event or
activity, which contributes to life problems and their recurrence.
Those who have experienced trauma are vulnerable.

Trauma is an experience that overwhelms a person, leaving them with a
sense of fear, helplessness and horror. Various events can produce a
traumatic experience. It can be anything from the breakdown of a
relationship to domestic abuse to living through war. A person's
response to these types of events will differ between individuals
depending on factors such as age, coping skills and family and support
networks.

Trauma occurs in many forms. First-hand trauma can arise from
experiences such as surviving assault. Secondary trauma can occur in
situations such as with crisis-support workers who hear daily accounts
of traumatic experiences. Trauma can also be passed down
intergenerationally, such as with the ongoing impact of residential
schools.

Trauma can display itself in multiple ways, such as anxiety, physical
pain, difficulties with relationships, intense flashbacks and
nightmares. Clusters of symptoms that lead to major difficulties over
an extended period of time might result in a diagnosis of
post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), though not all traumatic
experiences will lead to PTSD. Trauma is not an uncommon experience.
According to the Manitoba Trauma Information and Education Centre,
between 55 and 90 per cent of all people have experienced at least one
traumatic life event. In addition to addiction, trauma contributes to
a number of other health and social issues. Trauma and addiction can
happen to anyone of any age, gender, cultural or socio-economic background.

Although not everyone who experiences trauma is at risk of substance
abuse or addiction, the connection is well-established. The two have a
cruel relationship - each one feeding off the other.

The biological connections between trauma and addiction are deeply
layered, complex and variable depending on individual circumstances.
Simply put, the human brain develops over time and is sculpted by
experience. Distressing life events produce changes within the brain
to adapt to its environment. The threat-detection centre within the
brain responsible for the freeze, fight or flight responses, can
become hyper-reactive. At the same time, the memory centre
malfunctions, resulting in the re-experiencing of distressing events.
The survivalist areas of the brain take over and decrease the person's
ability to inhibit behaviour.

An understanding of the psychological connections between trauma and
addiction is vital. We all have a need to feel safe and content.
Despite risks, some people seek relief from the overwhelming feelings
trauma creates by misusing substances.

Further, the ability to change addictive behaviour based on previous
negative experiences may also be impaired because of changes in the
brain, so the cycle continues.

Understanding the nature of trauma does not mean we excuse the
behaviours and societal harms associated with addiction. Rather, this
understanding helps us have compassion, and that is a critical
component for healing. As we mark Manitoba Addictions Awareness Week,
which starts today, we encourage others to accept the challenge of
being compassionate to those who are dealing with trauma and
addiction. For those who are directly affected, the act of
self-compassion can be an excellent motivator for positive change.

One of the greatest factors in healing from trauma and addiction is
resiliency, a term once tied to the engineering field to describe
materials and structures that can withstand severe conditions.

Today, we recognize resiliency as the ability to rebound from
adversity. In weaving the fabric of resiliency, it is not the single
thread that withstands the weight of agonizing experience. Families,
communities and larger systems represent the other threads we must
weave together to create a cloak of protection.

Imagine mending the wounds of the soul using the threads from the
fabric of resiliency.

This is the nature of hope.

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Kathleen Keating-Toews is with the Addictions Foundation of Manitoba's
Knowledge Exchange Centre. If alcohol, drugs or gambling are causing
problems for you or someone you know, call 1-855-662-6605 or visit
www.afm.mb.ca.
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MAP posted-by: Matt